Li Muzhan chuckled, "Why not go take a look?

How is this Sect Master Yan's martial skill?" Liu Biyun replied, "How could the Sect Master possibly be lacking?" Li Muzhan stroked his chin, excitement flickering across his face, "Then we absolutely must go!

...Come on, let's go witness Sect Master Yan's prowess!" "Big Brother, you..." Liu Biyun shook her head helplessly and followed Li Muzhan out.

They soon arrived outside the main hall.

Eight youths stood outside the hall: two disciples from Dragon Mountain Sect and six from Sea View Pavilion.

The two groups glared at each other, swords almost drawn.

Seeing Li Muzhan and Liu Biyun approach, the two Dragon Mountain Sect disciples cupped their fists in salute, "Junior Sister Liu, Young Master Li!" Liu Biyun waved her jade hand and murmured, "Sect Master Yan is still inside, right?" "Yes, hasn't come out." The two nodded.

Both were handsome and sharp-eyed, showing a hint of cunning.

Liu Biyun turned to glance at Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan smiled, "Then let's go in." The two quickly stepped forward.

The young man with the melon-seed face leaned closer and whispered, "Young Master Li!" Li Muzhan smiled and looked at him.

The young man glanced inside, then leaned in, lowering his voice, "Young Master Li, be careful.

Sect Master Yan looks furious, as if he wants to kill someone!" Li Muzhan smiled and nodded his thanks.

It seemed the Dragon Mountain Sect was starting to accept him.

This change stemmed from his killing of Jiang Cheng, completely integrating him with the Dragon Mountain Sect.

In truth, the disciples of Dragon Mountain Sect were simple-minded.

Liu Biyun sighed, "Xiao Tang, has it gotten noisy inside?" "Not yet." The melon-seed-faced youth shook his head, "It sounded harmonious.

But I feel Sect Master Yan is suppressing his anger.

I just hope Young Master Li doesn't..." Li Muzhan said, "I understand." Xiao Tang smiled, nodded, and stepped back two paces to clear the way.

Li Muzhan and Liu Biyun entered the main hall.

Inside, two people were seated and several others were standing.

Wang Duli and another middle-aged man sat facing each other.

Mo Jiye, Cui Shaoqing, and the others stood behind Wang Duli, while several Sea View Pavilion disciples stood behind the middle-aged man.

The two factions were clearly delineated, locked in a silent standoff.

Hearing footsteps, both groups turned their heads, sharp gazes flashing.

Li Muzhan cupped his fists and smiled, "Sect Master." Wang Duli frowned slightly, then relaxed, smiling and waving, "Guanhai, you've come at the perfect time.

Come and meet Sect Master Yan." Li Muzhan sized up the middle-aged man.

He had a robust and tall build; his temples and beard seemed dusted with white frost.

His eyebrows conveyed coldness and the weight of long experience.

His aura was extraordinary, especially the chill radiating from his glance, piercing straight into the heart like cold lightning.

Li Muzhan knew this was Yan Ziyuan, the Sect Master of Sea View Pavilion.

He cupped his fists and smiled, "Greetings, Sect Master Yan." "You are Li Guanhai?!" Yan Ziyuan's eyes suddenly burst with cold light, shooting toward Li Muzhan like two swords.

Li Muzhan nodded, "This humble one is Li Guanhai.

A pleasure." "You killed Ancestor Jiang?!" Yan Ziyuan stared at him, frowning, and stood up abruptly.

"Hold on, Old Yan!" Wang Duli quickly reached out.

———— The atmosphere in the hall instantly solidified; everyone struggled to breathe.

Li Muzhan maintained his smiling expression, watching him quietly, as if he hadn't noticed Yan Ziyuan's fury, looking more like an old friend.

Yan Ziyuan glared coldly at Li Muzhan, "Li Guanhai, what a Li Guanhai you are.

You certainly have courage!" Li Muzhan smiled, "Sect Master Yan, I do not attack unless provoked; if others attack me, I will certainly strike back!" Yan Ziyuan sneered, "A fine 'I will certainly strike back!' ...I hear your swordsmanship is superb.

I’d like to test it out!" "I say, Old Yan!" Wang Duli waved his hand and chuckled, "Old Yan, aren't you embarrassed to bully the young?

That lacks grace, don't you think?" Yan Ziyuan pursed his lips and sneered, "If he could kill Ancestor Jiang, you think I'd be bullying the young?" Wang Duli retorted, "You are the master of a sect!" Yan Ziyuan snorted heavily, "Wang, shut your mouth!

...Li Guanhai, do you dare fight me?" Li Muzhan smiled, "Very well, I was hoping to sample the grand techniques of Sect Master Yan." Yan Ziyuan snorted, "Good, then let's have a contest!

...Wang, you all step aside!" Li Muzhan said, "Sect Master Yan, I think such trouble isn't necessary.

Let's have a contest of wits, no need for a direct fight, how about that?" "How do you propose to compete with wits?" Yan Ziyuan asked heavily.

Li Muzhan proposed, "I will present one move.

Sect Master Yan, see if you can break it.

If you can break it, I will present another move.

If you cannot, we stop." "...Good!" Yan Ziyuan glanced at Wang Duli and the others, then slowly nodded.

Li Muzhan smiled slightly, "If Sect Master Yan truly wishes to fight, we can do so when we meet again.

Paths diverge but eventually cross; there will always be a time for us to meet!" Yan Ziyuan's lips curled slightly, a cold smile touching them, "That makes sense!" Li Muzhan drew his sword and slowly executed a single move, then looked at Yan Ziyuan, "Sect Master Yan, please—!" Yan Ziyuan's face grew stern, and he suddenly thrust his sword out.

Li Muzhan nodded, then followed with another light, graceful swing.

Yan Ziyuan, face grim, slashed his sword diagonally; the sword light was like lightning, too fast to clearly follow.

Li Muzhan smiled, then slowly flicked his blade upward.

Yan Ziyuan’s expression darkened further.

After a moment of contemplation, his sword light flashed again, slicing diagonally like a long saber.

Li Muzhan shook his head and gently tapped.

Yan Ziyuan's body trembled, and his face turned pale.

Li Muzhan smiled, sheathed his sword, cupped his fists, and chuckled, "Sect Master Yan, you have let me win!" ———— Although the onlookers couldn't clearly discern what the two were doing—the moves were inexplicable and unreadable—they knew Yan Ziyuan had lost by seeing his complexion.

A sharp, blade-like glint flickered in Yan Ziyuan's eyes.

After a long moment, he slowly sighed, "Impressive swordsmanship.

No wonder Ancestor Jiang..., very well!" Li Muzhan asked, "Does Sect Master Yan not care about Young Hero Chu?" Yan Ziyuan frowned, "Is Chu Kuang truly a disciple of the Divine Sword Sect?

Are you not just fabricating that?" Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, "Sect Master Yan, as for the ambush by the Divine Sword Sect disciples, I hardly need to elaborate, do I?" "Bring Chu Kuang up here!" Yan Ziyuan stated gravely.

"Yes, Sect Master," Li Ping cupped his fist in acknowledgment and turned to leave.

He soon returned, leading Chu Kuang.

Chu Kuang’s vital points had been sealed by Li Muzhan and Wang Duli.

He walked unsteadily, looking exactly like someone who had never practiced martial arts, his face ashen.

"Sec—t Master—!" Chu Kuang "thumped" to his knees, kowtowing, "Your disciple is incompetent and has brought shame upon you!" "Chu Kuang, rise!" Yan Ziyuan said coldly.

Chu Kuang shook his head, "This disciple has no face to see the Sect Master!" "What happened?" Yan Ziyuan asked blandly, "I hear you are a disciple of the Divine Sword Sect.

Is that true?" Chu Kuang said gravely, "Sect Master, I never expected Dragon Mountain Sect to be so despicable.

This is the slander and framing by that man surnamed Li.

I am wrongly accused; I beg the Sect Master to investigate clearly!" "Li Guanhai framed you?" Yan Ziyuan’s expression remained unchanged as he asked coolly.

"Yes!" Chu Kuang stated heavily, "This disciple had never heard of the Divine Sword Sect before.

I only knew of the Myriad Saints Sect.

It was only when they mentioned it that this disciple learned of it!" "Then what about the ambushers on the road?" Yan Ziyuan asked calmly, "They were indeed disciples of the Divine Sword Sect!" "This disciple knows nothing!" Chu Kuang shook his head, frowning, "This disciple's vital points were sealed.

I was unconscious and did not see those people.

But how did they know I was returning?" "They said you informed them," Yan Ziyuan replied.

Chu Kuang forced a bitter smile, "Sect Master, I was sealed by Sect Master Wang.

How could I have sent a message?

How could I possibly break the seal placed by Sect Master Wang?" Yan Ziyuan said, with a half-smile, "Sect Master Wang said the seal he placed wouldn't render you unconscious, yet you played dead the whole time." "Sect Master, this is a massive injustice!" Chu Kuang hurriedly shook his head, "I wanted to be conscious, but I truly couldn't open my eyes.

Sect Master Wang's technique is extremely profound; I am still sealed now!" Saying this, he looked toward Wang Duli, "Sect Master Wang, I have always admired you, but I never expected you to treat me this way.

It truly chills my heart!" Wang Duli laughed, "How did I treat you?" Chu Kuang said solemnly, "You are the master of a sect, yet you disregarded your status to frame a junior like me.

This truly lacks the dignity and bearing of a Sect Master.

I am utterly unimpressed!" "Heh heh..." Wang Duli laughed and shook his head, "You are quite glib, aren't you!" He turned and smiled, "Old Yan, truly, like master, like disciple.

Your student has inherited some of your traits; he can make the dead sound alive and twist logic unreasonably!" ———— Yan Ziyuan said coldly, "Did you frame Chu Kuang?" Wang Duli retorted irritably, "I don't have that kind of leisure time!

...If Guanhai hadn't pointed it out, I would have been fooled by him.

Your disciple is quite the talent!" Yan Ziyuan looked at Li Muzhan and asked coldly, "Young Master Li, how did you know he was from the Divine Sword Sect?" Li Muzhan smiled, "Sect Master Yan, this matter is actually quite simple.

All that is needed is to pull down his trousers and take a look.

Those who practice the Sword Forging Divine Art all possess unique physical characteristics." "Hmm—?" Yan Ziyuan frowned.

Li Muzhan explained, "That is the simplest method.

Another way is for Sect Master Yan to carefully examine his internal energy and see if he can find any trace of the Sword Forging Divine Art.

I believe if you look closely enough, you are bound to find clues!" "You have seen the Sword Forging Divine Art?" Yan Ziyuan asked gravely.

Li Muzhan nodded, "I have dealt with people from the Divine Sword Sect, which is why I could immediately discern the aura of your Young Master Chu." "Good, I will check!" Yan Ziyuan snorted and reached out to take Chu Kuang's wrist, then paused, frowning as he looked at Chu Kuang.

Chu Kuang forced a bitter smile, "Sect Master, my vital points were sealed by Sect Master Wang." "He did not seal your vital points!" Yan Ziyuan shook his head and said heavily, "Where is your martial skill?" Chu Kuang frowned, "I thought it was sealed!

...Did you, Sect Master Wang...

did you cripple my martial arts?!" Wang Duli scrutinized him, "Don't talk nonsense, little fellow.

Why would I cripple your martial arts!" "But...

but..." Chu Kuang showed a panicked expression, "But where is my martial skill?!" Li Muzhan clapped his hands in admiration, "An excellent move, 'Draining the Pot from Beneath the Kettle'!

Truly formidable, worthy of being an outstanding disciple of the Divine Sword Sect!" "You are so vicious!" Chu Kuang yelled, staring at Li Muzhan in shock, "You actually..." Li Muzhan interrupted, "You were going to say that we crippled your martial arts to leave you unable to defend yourself, weren't you?" "Exactly!" Chu Kuang glared angrily, "You people are truly despicable!" Li Muzhan chuckled, nodding, "Impressive, impressive!...

To be able to execute this maneuver, Young Master Chu is indeed ruthless!" He turned to Yan Ziyuan, "Sect Master Yan, do you know what physical anomalies result from cultivating the Sword Forging Divine Art?" "This old man does not know!" Yan Ziyuan replied coldly.

Li Muzhan smiled slightly and looked down toward Chu Kuang's lower body.